Wave functions for simple atoms

Citation

Abstract

This thesis is a review of the methods which have been used to apply the Schrodinger equation to the problem of atomic structure, an important problem to chemists because it precedes any similar treatment of molecules and valence. Original work includes computations on helium, lithium, and beryllium, together with iso-electronic ions. The Thomas-Fermi statistical atom, the Hartree method of the self-consistent field, Pauling's and Slater's sets of screening constants, and the variation principle are discussed and estimates of their applicability made, Hydrogen, helium, lithium, and beryllium are individually treated and tables showing the results of many investigators included. In the case of lithium the new results give an ionization potential in very close agreement with experiment while the new work on beryllium is a slight but not satisfactory improvement over previous results. The Appendix lists tables of integrals used in the computations.